Safety panel-box



SAFETY PANEL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY 19,1917.

H. F.VKRANTZ.

Patented June 8, 1920.

5 SHEETSSHEET l.

I l I l w EN Q @mqivf W53* .INWSNTOH H. F. KRANTZ.

SAFETY PANEL.BOX.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY 19.1911.

1,342,545. Patented June 8, 1920.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Arm/mfr H. F. KRANTZ.

SAFETY PANEL Box.

APPLICATION FILED IULY 19,1917' I 1,342,545. Patented June 8, 1920.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

I. TTURNEY H. F. KRANTZ.

SAFETY PANEL BOX.

APPLICATION HLED JULY 19,1911

1,342,545. PawnaJune 8,1920.

I5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

.Q19 g3 30 I INVENTOH UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HUBERT F. KRANTZ, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO KRANTZ MANUFAC-TURING COMPANY, INC.,` OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Application filed July 19, 1917.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HUBERT F. KRANTZ, residing at Brooklyn, in vthecounty of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Safety Panel-Boxes, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a safety panel box which is an improvementover that shown and described in Patent No. 1,292,808, Jan. 28, 1919.

An object of the present improvement is to provide a compact andeiicient structure by means of which several switch units may becombined for service in connection with suitable bus bars, and in whichthe box is maintained of a symmetrical and attractive appearance.

A further object is to provide a spacious and well ventilatedcompartment for containing the bus bars and other elements.

A further object is to provide a structure in which the several switchelements and their contacts are arranged in a position between the busbar compartment and the fuse compartments and to so arrange the parts ofthe structure that the several switch mechanisms and their contacts maybe readily inspected either through the fuse coinpartinent or from thebus bar compartment.

A further object is to so arrange the parts that the main line wires maylead into the box, for connection with the bus bars, from a plurality ofsides, and through well appointed spaces, and also that the branch linewires shall have spacious channels'and may lead into the box fromvarious sides. l

A further object is to provide efficient means for supporting theseveral switch elements and their associated parts.

A further object is to provide a box made up of an inner housing and anouter housing, the outer housing being sufficiently larger than theinner housing so as to provide spacious channels for the main and branchline wires and having a common cover for both housings, to'provide theinnci' housing with an auxiliaryl cover which` is spaced from the maincover to form a compartment of a size to receive the switchcontrol-elements, all other elements of the device being hid by saidauxiliary cover, the

auxiliary cover having an inspection doory Specification of LettersPatent.

SAFETY PANEL-BOX.

Patented J une 8, 1920.

serial No. 181,456.

above,fwill be in part obvious and in part pointed 'out in the course ofthe following description of the elements, combinations, arrangementsofparts and applications of principles, constituting the invention; andthe scope of protection contemplated will be indicated in thev appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as a part of thisspeciication, and in which I have shown merely a preferred form ofembodiment of the invenion: Figure l is a longitudinal verticalsectional view through a panel box constructed in'accordance with thisinvention, the-view being taken substantially upon the plane of line I-Iof'F ig. 3, and the switch mechanism being shown in the on position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the complete panel box.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the panel box with the main cover removed,and a portion of the inner or auxiliary cover being broken away.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially 'uponthe plane of line IV of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the parts of Fig. l with theswitch mechanism in the off position, with the inspection door open, andwith the vmain cover removed.

Reicerring to the drawings for describing in detail the structure whichis illustrated therein, the reference charcater L indicates the main orouter housing. This may be made up of any suitable material, eithersheet metal or otherwise, according to preference. In the drawings it isshown as being made from sheet metal.

The reerence characterG indicates the inner housing. This also may bemade of any suitable material, but preferably is made of an insulatingmaterial such as slate or the like. It is formed with a bottom wall 1,

wires likewise may enter the main housing..

at any desired point and ylead thence through suitable openings 14,formed in the front wall of the inner housing, into connection with thebranch line terminals 15 which are within the inner housing, all asclearly seen in Fig. 3.

The main cover consists of a rigid, substantially integral, rectangularframe 16 and a central'door 17. rlhe frime 16 is detachably connected tothe side and front and back walls 18 of the main housing by means ofscrews or the like 19. The door 17 is hinged as at 20 to one of the sidemembers of the frame 16. A spring latch 21 engages between the door andthe opposite side member 16 to normally retain the door closed. The dooris thus carried by and movable with the frame 16 at all times.

The front wall 4 and the side wal-ls 2 and 3 of the inner housing are ofsuch depth as to extend substantially to the inner surface of theadjacent members of the frame 16 and the side and end members of saidframe are of a width to close the channels 6, 7, 8 and 9 regardless ofwhether the door 17 be opened or closed. The rear wall 5 of the innerhousing, however, is of considerably less depth than the remaining walls4so as to leave a wide open space 22 between its upper edge and theadjacent inner surface of the frame 16. l

The auxiliary cover is formed entirely within the inner housing and ismade up of a rear section 23, which extends continuously between theside walls 2 and 3 ofjsaid inner housing, being fixed to said side wallsby brackets 24 and 25. A series of switch unit sections 26, and a likeseries of inspection doors 27 complete this' cover and define acompartment, 28, within which the switch control elements are located. f

The rear section 23 is arranged obliquely, its upper rear edgeas 29being close beneath the under surface of the main cover substantiallyina plane directly above the wall 5 so as, in effect, to constitute aspaced ex tension of said wall 5.- The lower forward' in front of thefront face of the wall 5, thus allowing for the wide open space 22 abovereferred to.

The intermediate portions of the lowerl edge 30 are fixed to supportingpartitions 31. These partitions are arranged in the space beneath theauxiliary cover and may take any desired form. Preferably, however, theyare shaped from sheet metal to provide flanges 32 and 33 at their upperand lower edges by means of which they may be connected to the edge 30and to the bottom wall 1 respectively.

The switch unit sections 26 are detachably fixed to the upper surfacesof the flanges 32 in front of the edge 30, the outer sections beingsupported by the brackets 25, and each section 26 carries anindependently operable switch mechanism 34, the operating handle, as 35,of which projects through a suitable opening, as 36, into thecompartment 28.

Any suitable type of switch mechanisms may be employed but preferably aswitch mechanism is employed which is similar to that shown anddescribed in my pending application Serial No. 85,852, filed March 22,1916, one of these is carried by and movable with each of the coversections 26, and each switch mechanism includes a pivoted blade carrier37 upon which a suitable number of double ended blades 38, for instancethree as shown, is mounted for simultaneous movement by the handle 35.The rear ends of the blades 38 move into and out of engagement with theunder surfaces of suitable main line contacts 39 which project forwardlyfrom the upper surface of the rear wall 5, and the forward ends of saidswitch blades move into and out of engagement with the .upper surfacesof branch line contacts 40 which are fixed to the bottom wall 1. Thebranch line contacts 40 are fashioned to provide fuse clips, as v41,which coperate with .fuse clips 42 to provide mounting for the forwardedges rest upon an angle bracket 45- which is fixed to the inner frontwall 4.

Any suitable character of safety appliance may be used in connectionwith the surface of the doors 27 for retaining themy against beingopened while current is flowing, and for other purposes, but preferablythe safety appl1ance employed, is similar to that shown and described inmy pending application first above referred to. This includes a latch46, movable to interengage with the angle 45 and to simultaneouslycontrol the position of the switch mechanism, also a guard member 53movable with the door to positively prevent operation of the switchmechanism while the door is open.

A series of insulatin partitions 47 is pro-.

vided, one for each o the supporting partitions 31 and these serve, withthe partitions 31, to divide the space beneath the auxiliary cover intoa plurality of compartments to which access may be independentlyafforded by the respective inspection doors 27.

One of the inspection doors may be opened and the necessary repairs orrenewal made without in any way disturbing the free passage of currentin the adjacent compartments. The opening of the one inspection doorwill not in any way influence the remaining inspection doors and none ofthe remaining inspection doors may be opened eX-,

cept when its adjacent switch mechanism be thrown into the off position.The mechanism of each compartment is independent in all respects of themechanism of the adjacent compartment and yet all of the compartmentsare formed within a single housing, have common bus bars, a commoninspectin opening (the opening v22) .and the partitions defining thecompartments are rigidly held by a common supporting mem.

. provide ample barriersfor protecting the live main line contactsduring such inspection, and in which a more thorough and completeexamination may be made by the simple removal of a part which isnormally fixed, the main cover.)

Furt er, the structure thus evolved provides a much enlarged and wellventilated space Jfor the bus bars, together with a well ventilatedlocality for the switch contact elements. In this connection it is notedthat the heat generated by the operation of the switch blades finds aneasy path of discharge through the opening 22 for dissipation into thechannels 9, 6, 7 and 8. All of the switch blades and contacts may thusbe maintained normally cool and no one switch blade is likely to becomeheated to any excessive eX- tent.

The supporting partitions 31 are preferably cut away as atv 48 and L19vto prevent possible arcing from either of the contacts 39, or 40. l

Theinsulating partitions 47 are preferably conneoted with the supportingpartitions 31 by means of brackets 50 which arel designed to hold saidinsulating partitions substantially in alinementwith the partitions 31and in position beneath the edges of adjoining inspection doors 27 sothat the upper edgesof the insulating partitions constitute commonabutments for said doors,.as is clearly seen in Fig. 3.

The manner of connecting the bus bars is of considerable importance andconsists in provi-ding rearward extensions of the contacts 39 bent toprovide supporting means for the bus bars adapted to hold the bus barsproperly spaced away from each other and in their most appropriatepositions within the channel 9. For the bus bar 11 there is a pluralityof contacts 39 one for each switch compartment, and these collectivelysupport the bus bar 11. For the bus bar 12 there is a plurality ofcontacts 39 one for each switch compartment, and thesecollectivelysupport the bus bar 12. For the bus bar 1 3 there is a plurality ofcontacts 39 one for each switch compartment, and these collectivelysupport the bus bar 13. The contacts 39 for the bus bar 11 are formedfrom strips of material which are bentupwardly and thence forwardly attheirl rear ends so as to carry the bus bar V11 in a position spacedabove the upperl edge of the wall 5. The contacts for the -bus bars12and 13 are formed of strips of material allof which are ofsubstantially identical shape and size,

each having an off-set portion to which the respective bus bars areconnected the strips for the bus bar 12 being .in reversed position ascompared with the strips for the bus bar 13 and thus supporting said busbars` 12 and 13 in superposed relation, the bus bar 12 beingsubstantially in va common plane with the bus 11 and the bus bar 13being in a plane below the bus bar 12, all as clearly indicated in Figs.1 and5. The bus bars are all contained between the side walls 2 and 3withinthe channel 9, and the main line wires lead into said channel andare connected thereto as above described.

Note that the side walls 2 and 3 are continued rearwardlybeyond the wall5 as at 51 thus, in eii'ect, placing the bus bars within an innercompartment formed by the inner housing. Where the main line wires leadin through the side walls 18 of the main housing a portion of one orboth ofl the side walls 2 and 3 may .be cut away to form an opening asat52 to provide passage of the main line Wires" to the bus bars asclearly seen Vin Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 5 of the drawings illustrates the manner in vwhich full inspectionis afforded for all of the `mechanism within the device. This shows themain cover to ybe removed and the inspection door 27 to be open. With jthe parts in this condition it will beseen that the front side of theswitch mechanism, together with the fuses and lconnected conswitchmechanism with the bus bars and its contacts may be fully inspectedthrough the opening indicated at X.

It should be noted that when installingl for use the device of thisinvention, the

after the inspection is completed. This ma-A terially simplifies thework of the inspector and renders possible a more complete installationbefore the time of the inspection.

It is also important to note that the inclined position of the wallsection 23 admirably provides for the wide open inspection space 22while` at the same time enabling the maintenance of symmetry in theshape and proportion of the parts of the main cover sothat a desirableappearance is presented from without.

While it is herein shown and described that the mechanism 34 are of suchcharacter that one side of each is adapted to be inspected through theopening 22, while the opposite side of the same switch mechanism isadapted to be inspected through one of the door openings 27,nevertheless, it will be apparent that the full spirit of this inventionwill be equally present in instances where the opening 22 may serve forinspection of one switch unit, while the door opening 27 may serve forinspection of a switch unit which may, or may not, be capable of beingseen through the opening 22, the underlying principle, in this respect,

being that the opening 22 and the door openings, taken together, providefor ample inspection, from different sides, of all of the switch units,or mechanisms, which may be arranged within the box. Hence, wherever inthe claims hereto appended, the term switch mechanism, or itsequivalent, is employed, said term is intended to include either asingle switch unit, or mechanism, or a plurality of units or mechanisms.

As many changes could be made in this construction without departingfrom the scope of the invention as defined in -the following claims, itis intended that all matter contained in the above description or shownin the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative onlyand not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as newand `desire tosecure by Let' ters Patent is:

1. A panel box comprising a main cover, an auxiliary cover within'thebox spaced beneath the main cover to provide a compartment betweenitself and the main cover, a switch mechanism` in the space beneath theauxiliary cover having an operating handle projecting into saidcompartment, a partiA tion-wall arranged within the boX defining achannel' separated from the switch mechanism by said partition wall,said auxiliar cover extending short of said partition wa l to leave anopen space above said partition wall for the inspection of a portion ofthe switch mechanism, and means -whereby at least a portion of the maincover is removable adjacent said opening to facilitate such inspection.A

2. A panel box comprising a main cover, an auxiliary cover within thebox spaced beneath the main cover to provide a compartment betweenitself and the main cover, switch mechanism in the space beneath theauxiliary cover having an operating handle projecting into saidcompartment, a artition wall arranged within the box defining a channelseparated from the switch mechanism by said partition wall, saidauxiliary cover extending short of said partition wall to leave an openspace above lsaid partition wall for the inspection of a portion of theswitch mechanism, a portion of said auxiliary cover adjacent saidopening being arranged at an incline and terminating adjacent the maincover at a point above said partition wall, and means whereby at least aportion of the main cover is removable adjacent said opening tofacilitate such inspection.

3. A panel box comprising an inner housing and an outer housing, eachhaving conlining side walls, the inner housing being smaller than theouter housingland being positioned to provide wire channels between saidside walls entirely surrounding the inner housing, a common cover forboth housings, said cover having parts normally fixed in positioncovering the channels between the two housings and having a door partreadily movable to give access to the inner housing, a switch mechanismwithin the inner housing adapted to be inspected from one side when saiddoor is open, a portion of one of the side walls of the inner housingbeing omitted to provide an opening adjacent the relatively oppositeside of the switch mechanism, and means whereby the normally fixedportion of the cover adjacent said mentioned opening is removable toprovide for inspection of said opposite side of the switch mechanismwhen desired.

4. A panel box comprising an inner housing and an outer housing eachhaving confining side walls, the inner housingbeing smaller than theouter housing and being positioned to provide wire channels between saidside walls entirely surrounding the inner housing, a main cover commonto both housings, said cover comprising a rectangular frame and a doormovable to control the central opening thereof, the side membersl wallsof the respective housings to close the wire channels, an auxiliarycover lwithin the inner housing spaced beneath the door of the maincover to provide a compartment between itself and said door, a switchmechanism arranged within the inner housing in the space beneath theauxiliary cover and having an operating handle extending into saidcompartment, one side of the inner compartment having an openingprovided therethrough adjacent the switch mechanism affording access tosaid switch mechanism from the adjacent wire channel, and the portion ofthe auxiliary cover between said switch mechanism and said opening beingdisposed at an incline substantially for the purpose set forth.

- 5. A panel box comprising a housing, a plurality or"V switchmechanisms arranged therein each having a movable switch blade, aplurality of contacts one for each switch blade, a partition wallarranged within the box defining a channel separated from said switchblades by said partition wall, said contacts comprising strips ofsuitable material mounted upon the upper edge of said partition wallextending transversely thereof having one end adapted to be engaged bythe switch blade and having its other end projecting into said channel,and bus bars arranged within the channel being fixed to and supported bysaid second mentioned ends.

6. A panel box comprising an inner housing and an outer housing, theinner housing having opposite side walls and front and back walls allspaced from corresponding walls of' the outer housing to providechannels therebetween, a plurality vof switch mechanisms arranged withinthe inner housing, each having a movable blade, the back wall of theinner housing being of less height than the remaining walls andproviding an opening between the adjacent channel and the interior ofthe inner housing, a plurallty of' contact members one for .cach switchblade mounted upon the upper ranged in the space beneath the coverdivid- A ing said space into a plurality of compartments one for eachswitch mechanism, said partitions comprising supporting means for saidcover, a plurality of fuse devices at least one associated with each ofsaid switch 'mechanisms inspection doors comprised in said cover one forthe fuse device of each switch mechanism, and insulating partitions onearranged in continuation of each of said supporting partitions forinsulating the respective fuse devices from each other.

8. A panel box comprising an inner housing and an outer housing arrangedto ,provide wire channels between them, a cover for the inner housing, aplurality of partitions arranged in the space beneath said cover spacedapart across the width of the inner compartment dividing said spaceiinto a series of compartments, one wall of the inner' cover having anopening provided therethrough communicating between zthe adjacentchannel and all of the compartments formed by said partitions, a switchmechanism arranged within each of said compartments, said coverincluding a member which extends continuously across thel inner housingbeing fixed to all of said partitions to properly space and support saidpartitions, and said mentioned member of the cover being arrangedobliquely whereby to increase the size of said opening.

9. In a switch board, the combination with a switch mechanism, and aplurality of bus bars, of supporting members for said bus bars, whichsupporting members each comprise a strip of suitable material sup-Aported intermediate `its length having one of its ends serving as aContact for the switch mechanism and having its other end serving as asupport for a bus bar, said supporting members being of substantiallysimilar shape and each having an 0H- set portion to which the busv barsare connected respectively and one of said supporting members beingreversed with respect to the other to dispose its off-set portion forsupporting its bus barl in a position spaced4 from the bus bar which issupported by the off-set portion of the other supporting member.

10.' A panel box comprising an inner housing and an outer housing havingtheir side walls arranged to provide wire channels between them, apartition wall arranged within the inner housing dividing the spacewithin the inner housing into a plurality of compartments, switchmechanisms arranged one within each of said compartments, said partitionwall traversing less than the full width of the inner housing andterminating short of one wall of the inner housing, and

said mentioned wall of the inner housing being formed with an openingtherethrough adjacent the end of said partition wall, all whereby saidcompartments are in communication with each other and with the wirechannels.

1l. A panel box made up 0f i111 inner housing and an outer housing, saidhousings being of a size to provide an open space between them, a maincover common to both said housings, an auxiliary cover spaced beneaththe main cover, switch mechanism beneath said auxiliary cover, meanswhereby the main cover is removable, the parts of said housings'beingdisposed so as to expose for inspection both said mentioned open spaceand a portion of the switch mechanism when the main cover is removed,and a separately formed'door part comprised in said auxiliary covermovable relative to the remainder of said. auxiliary cover for exposingmore of said switch mechanism.

12. A panel box made up of an inner housing and an outer housing, saidhousings being of a size to provide an open space between them, a maincover common to both said housings, an auxiliary cover spaced beneaththe main cover, said auxiliary cover comprising a relatively stationarypart and a relatively movable part, switch mechanism disposed beneathand protected by the relatively stationary part, the relatively movablepart of said auxiliary cover being of a character to be removed forexposingr to inspection a portion of the switch mechanism, and meanswhereby the main cover is removable, the parts of said housings beingdisposed so as to expose for inspection both said mentioned open spaceand more of said switchmechanism when the main cover is removed.

13. A panel box made up of an inner housing and an outer housing, saidhousings being of a size to provide an open space between them, a maincover common to both said housings, an auxiliary cover spaced beneaththe main cover to provide a compartment between itself and the maincover, the main cover comprising a door removable to 4give access tosaid compartment, a switch mechanism arranged beneath said auxiliarycover and having an operating handle extending through the auxiliarycover into said compartment, the auxiliary cover comprising a separatelyformed inspection door disposed at one side 4of the switch mechanismadapted to be opened to provide for inspection of Fthe adjacent side oftheswitch mechanism, and means whereby the main cover is removable, theparts of said housings being arranged so as to expose for inspectionboth said open space and the opposite side of said switch mechanism whenthe main cover is removed.

14. In a panel box made up of an inner housing and an outer housing, amain cover common to both said h ousin s, an auxiliary cover spacedbeneath the main cover, switch mechanism beneath said auxiliary cover,the auxiliary cover comprising a part removable for alfording inspectionof one portion of the switch mechanism, and means to prequire opening ofboth o vent removal oli' said removable part of the auxiliary coverwhile the switch mechanism is on, the combination therewith of meanswhereby the main cover is removable, and the parts of said housingsbeing arranged so as to expose for inspection another portion of theswitch mechanism when said main cover is removed.

15. A panel box comprising a housing, switch mechanism therein, thehousing comprising two protecting walls spaced apart above the switchmechanism, means whereby one of said walls is bodily removable, eachofsaid walls comprising a relatively stationary part and a relativelymovable door part, and all of said parts being dis osed so as to resaidmentioned movable door parts-to provide for inspection of a portionofthe switch mechanism, and so as to require bodily removal of saidremovable wall to provide for inspection of'another portion of theswitch mechanism.

16. A panel box comprising an inner housing and an outer housing, aswitch mechanism within the inner housing, operating means for theswitch mechanism, fuse retaining parts also within the inner housingassociated with the switch mechanism, the outer housing comprising amovable door part movable to give access into a portion of the innerhousing, the inner housing comprising a movable door part movable forgiving access to said fuse retaining parts and for exposing forinspection a portion of the switch mechanism when said first mentioned.door part is in open position, said outer housing comprising adetachable wall part, and all of said parts being arranged so as toexpose for inspection another portion of the switch mechanism when saiddetachable lwall part is detached.

17. A panel box comprising a housing, a switch mechanism within thehousing, operating means for the switch mechanism, fuse .retaining partsalso within the housing associated with the switch mechanism, thehousing comprising one removable wall part adapted to'be removed forgiving access to said fuse retaining parts and .for exposing forinspection a portion of the switch mechanism, said housing comprisinganother re- I'movable wall part removable for exposing for inspectionanother portion of the switch mechanism, and said second mentioned wallpart including a relatively movable door adapted to be opened for givingaccess to said first mentioned movable wall part while said secondmentioned wall part is attached.

18. A panel box comprising a housing, a switch mechanism within thehousing, operating means for the" switch mechanism, the switch mechanismcomprising al doubleended switch blade, a pair of contacts spaced apartadapted to be engaged by the opposite be removed for exposing forinspection one of said contacts, and the housing comprising anotherremovable wall part removable for exposing for inspection the remainingcontact. v i

19. In a panel box made up of an inner housing and an outer housing, amain cover common 'to both said housings, an auxiliary cover spacedbeneath the 'main cover, switch mechanism beneath the auxiliary cover,the auxiliary cover having a door formed as one part thereofdisplaceable to give access to the switch mechanism, the main coverhaving a door formed as a part thereof displaceable to give access tothe door of said auxiliary cover, and the main cover comprising anotherpart which is displa'ceable to give access to the switch mechanism.

20. In apanel box made up of an inner housing and an, outer housing, amain cover common to both said housings, an auxiliary cover spacedbeneath the main cover, switch mechanism beneath the auxiliary cover,fuse retaining parts also beneath the auxiliary cover associated withsaid switch mechanisni, the auxiliary cover havingf a door Aformed asone part-thereof overlying said fuse retaining parts displaceable togive access to said fuse retaining parts and to expose for inspection aportion of the switch mechanism, and the main cover having. a doorformed as a part thereof displaceable to give access to the door ofysaid auxiliary cover.

2l. A panel box comprising a housing, a switch mechanism within-thehousing, operating means for the switch mechanism, the switch mechanismhaving two portions spaced apart and to'each of which access isdesirable, the housing comprising one re movable wall part adapted to beremoved for giving access to one of said parts of the switch mechanismand the housing comprising another removable wall part removable forgiving access to the second part of the switch mechanism, said `twoparts of the switch mechanism being disposed so as not to beconveniently accessible at the same time by the removal of either one ofsaid wall parts.

22. ln a switch board, a base board, a plurality of bus bars, switchmechanism operatively associated with saidbus bars, and means forsupporting the bus bars from the baseboard comprising a plurality ofsupporting members, said supporting members being ofA substantiallysimilar shape and each having an off-set portion to which the bus b arsare connected respectively and one of said supporting members beingreversed with respect to the other to dispose its offsct portion forsupporting its bus bar in a position spaced from the bus bar which issupported by the oif-set portion of the other supporting4 member; andsaid supporting members having parts connected with the base board.

23. A panel box comprising ahousing, a switch mechanism within thehousing, op-

erating means for theJ switch mechanism, y the switch mechanism havingtwo portions l spaced apart and to each of which access is desirable,the housing comprising one re-I movable 'wall part adapted to be removedfor giving access to one of said parts of the switch mechanism,thehousiiig comprising another removable wall part removable for givingaccess to the second part of the switch mechanism, the housing providingav bus bar receiving space, and bus bars within said bus bar receivingspace inaccessible upon removal of one of said removablewall parts butaccessible upon removal ofthe other removable wall part.

24. A panel-box comprising a housing, a-

switch mechanism within the housing, operating means for the switchmechanism, the switchmechanism having two portions spaced apart and toeach of which access is desirable, the housing providing a bus barreceiving space and a fuse clip receiving space, bus bars and fuse clipsin said spaces respectively, the bus bars being disposed so as to beaccessible by removal of one of said wall parts, the fuse clips beingdisposed to be accessible by removal of the other wall part, and oneportion of the switch mechanism being accessible byremoval of one ofsaid wall parts. Y I

25. A panel box comprising a housing, a switch mechanism within thehousing, operating means for the switch mechanism', the switch mechanismhaving two portions spaced apart and to each of which access isdesirable, the housing providing a bus bar receiving space and a lfuseclip receiving space, bus bars and fuse clips in said spacesrespectively, the bus bars beingv disposed so as to be accessible byremoval of one of said wall parts andv lthe fuse lslips being disposedto be accessible by removal of the other wall part, said bus bars andsaid fuse clips being disposed also so as not to be conspaced apart andto each of which access is desirable, the housing having a relativelystationary part and two removable'wall parts, and the switch mechanismbeing positioned beneath the relatively stationary part and the twomentioned portions thereof being adjacent the mentioned removable wallparts respectively so that said mentioned portions of the switchmechanism are independently accessible by removal of said removable wallparts.

27. A panel box comprising a housing, a switch blade within the housing,two conductor elements also within the housing with which the oppositeends of the switch blade connect, an operating handle connected with theswitch blade, a member stationary with the housingby which saidoperating handle is supported,` the housing having two removable wallparts one at each side of said stationary member, and said switch bladebeing positioned so that the opposite ends thereof and saidconductorelements occupy positions accessible by removal of saidremovable wall parts respectively.

28. A panel box comprising a housing having a stationary wall part andhaving a removable wall part at one side of the stationary `wall part, aswitch mechanism within the housing beneath said stationary wall part,fuse clips within the housing at one side of said switch mechanismbeneath said removable wall part, and the housing having a secondremovable wall part at `the opposite side of said stationary wall partremovable lior giving access to a portion of the switch mechanismremoved from said fuse clips.

29. A panel box comprising a housing having a stationary wall part andhaving a removable wall part, switch mechanism within the housingbeneath said stationary wall part, fuse clips within the housing at oneside of said switch mechanism beneath said removable wall part,interlock mecha-V nism between said removable wall part and the switchmechanism for preventing removal of said removable wall part while theswitch is om and the housing having a second removable wall part at theopposite side of said stationary wall part removable forgiving access toa portion of the switch mechanism removed from said fuse clips.

30. A panel box comprising a housing having two removable wall parts thefirst of which maybe removed independently of the second 'and both beingremovable for giving access into the housing, switch mechanism within'the housing, interlock mechanism between the switch and the firstremovable wall part operable to preventremoval of said rst removablewall part while the switch is om an operating handle for the switchmechanism, and a door mov-4 able into and out of position covering theoperating handle and the first removable wall art.

3l. A panel box comprising a main cover, an auxiliary cover spacedbeneath the main cover to provide a compartment between itself and themain cover, a switch mechanism in the space beneath the auxiliary coverhaving an operating handle projecting into said compartment, and saidmain cover' having a portion removable at a point for giving access to aportion of the switch mechanism.

32. A panel box, a plurality of partitions arranged within the boxdividing the space within the box into a plurality of vswitchcompartments, a plurality of switch mechanisms one within each of saidcompartments each having a supporting member connected with saidpartitions by which to support the respective switch mechanism, and saidsupporting members serving collectively to constitute in part a coverfor the box.

33. A panel box, a plurality of partitions arranged within the boxdividing the space within the box into a plurality of switchcompartments, a cover part extending between and being fixed to all ofsaid partitions serving to retain said partitions in position, and aplurality of switch mechanisms one within each of said compartments eachhaving a supporting member extending between and connected to twoadjacent partitions serving collectivelyl to provide a further cover artfor the box.

34:. panel box,a plurality of partitions arranged within the -boxdividing the space within the box into a plurality of switchcompartments, a plurality of switch mechanisms one within each of saidcompartments each having a supporting member connected with saidpartitions by which to support the respective switch mechanism, saidsupporting members serving collectively to constitute in part a coverfor the box, switch handles comprised in said switch mechanismsprojecting beyond the said mentioned cover part, means completing thecover for the box, and a second cover spaced beyond the first cover andproviding a compartment between the vcovers within which said switchhandles are contained.

35. A panel box comprising a housing,

` a plurality of bus bars arranged within the housing, a switchmechanism also within the housing coperative with said bus bars, fuseclips also within the housing, the housing having one removable wallpart giving access to the fuse clips and to a portion of the switchmechanism, and the housing having a second removable wall part givingaccess to the bus bars and to another portion of the switch mechanism.

36. A panel box comprising a housing, a plurality of bus bars Yarrangedwithinthe housing, a plurality of switch mechanisms also within `thehousing arranged s ide by side longitudinally of the bus bars and beingcoperative with the bus bars, the box having a plurality of removablecover parts one for each switchv mechanism removable independently ofeach other forgiving access to the respective switch mechanisms, and thebox having a further independently removable cover part removable forgiving access to the bus bars and to all of said switch mechanisms.

37. A safety panel box made up of a housing having a removable maincover part, wall members defining an inclosure within the housing forthe reception of switch mechanism and for forming channels within thehousing outside the inclosure for the reception of elements associatedwith the switch mechanism, switch mechanism within the inclosure, acover member for the switch mechanism within the inclosure spacedbeneath the main cover so as to provide a compartment between itself andsaid main cover, operating means for the switch mechanism extending intosaid compartment, and certain of the wall members of said inclosurebeing arranged to provide for inspection of the switch mechanism uponremoval of the main cover.

38. A safety panel box made up of a housing having a removable maincover part, wall members defining an inclosure within the housing forthe reception of switch mechanism and for forming channels within thehousing outside the inclosure for the reception of elements associatedwith the switch mechanism, switch mechanism within the inclosure, acover member for the switch mechanism within the inclosure spacedbeneath the main cover so as to provide a compartment between itself andsaid main cover, operating means for the switch mechanism extending intosaid compartment, said last mentioned cover having a door comprisedtherein for giving access to a portion of the switch mechanism, andcertain of the wall members of said inclosure being arranged to providefor inspection of another portion of the switch mechanism upon removalof the main cover.

39. A panel box made up of a housing having a removable main cover,switch mechanism within said housing, a cover member for the switchmechanism also with in the housing spaced beneath said main cover,operating means for said switch mechanism projecting through said secondcover into the space between said second cover and said main cover, thesecond cover having a door for giving' access to a portion of the switchmechanism, the main cover having a door for giving access to the door ofthe second cover, and the parts being arranged to provide for inspectionof another portion of the switch mechanism upon removal of the maincover.

40. A panelfbox made up of a housing a5 having a main cover, switchmechanism within the housing, an auxiliary cover for the switch.mechanism beneath the main cover, the auxiliary cover having a partremovable lto givefaccess to the switchl mechanism, and said main coverbeing constructed to provide access to the mentioned part of theauxiliary cover and being removable independently of the auxiliary coveralso for giving access to said switch mechanism.

41. A panel box made up of a housing having a main cover, switchmechanism within the housing, an auxiliary cover for the switchmechanism beneath the main cover, a door comprised in the auxiliarycover for giving access to a portion of the switch mechanism, a doorcomprised in the main cover for giving access to the door of theauxiliary cover, and the main cover being removable for giving access toanother portion of the switch mechanism.

42. In a switch panel, a base board, a bus bar extending therealong, aplurality of independently operable switch mechanisms spaced apart alongthe length of thebus bar adapted for making electrical connection withthe bus bar, means providing independent compartments for said switchmechanisms each of said compartments having a separate door giving access thereto, and a removable guard member for said doors collectively.

43. In a panel box made up of a housing having a main cover, anauxiliary cover spaced beneath the main cover, switch mechanism beneaththe auxiliary cover, fuse retaining parts also beneath the auxiliarycover associated with said switch mechanism, the auxiliary cover havinga door formed as a part thereof displaceable to give access to said fuseretaining parts and the main cover having a door formed as a partthereof displaceable to give access to the door of the auxiliary cover.

44. In a panel box made up of a housing having a main cover, anauxiliary cover spaced beneath the main cover, switch mechanismsupported by the auxiliary cover depending from the under surfacethereof, the auxiliary cover having a door formed as one part thereofdisplaceable to give access to the space therebeneath, and the maincover having a door formed as a part thereof displaceable to give accessto the door of the auxiliary cover.

45. In a panel box made up of a housing having a main cover, anauxiliary cover spacedy beneath the main cover, switch mechanismsupported by the auxiliary cover depending from the under surfacethereof,

y operating means for said switch mechanism extending outwardlytherefrom through said auxiliary cover into the space between saidcovers, and the main cover having a door formed as a part thereofdisplaceable to give access to said operating means.

SLO

46. In a panel box made upy of a housing havin a main cover, anauxiliary cover space beneath the main cover', switch mechanismsupported by the auxiliary cover depending from the under surfacethereof, operating means for said switch mechanism extending outwardlytherefrom through said auxiliary cover into the space between saidcovers, fuse retaining parts associated with the switch mechanism, saidauxiliary cover having a door formed as a part thereof displaceable togive access to said fuse retaining .parts, and the main cover having a.door formed as a part thereof displaceable to give access to saidoperating means and tothe door of the auxiliary cover.

47. A panel box, a plurality of switch mechanisms arranged within thebox, separate supporting members for said switch mechanisms servingcollectively to constitute. in part a'cover for the box, switch handlescomprised in the switch mechanisms projecting beyond said mentionedcover, fuse retaining parts associated with said switch mechanismsrespectively, said cover including as another part thereof doors forgiving independent access to the fuse retaining parts of the respectiveswitches, and a second cover spaced beyond the first cover for providinga compartment between the covers within which said switch handles arecontained.

v48. A panel box, av bus bar arranged within said box, a plurality ofswitch mechanisms arranged within the box spaced side by side along thelength of the bus bar, separate supporting members for said switchmechanisms serving collectively to constitute in part a cover for saidbox, switch handles comprised in the switch mechanisms projecting beyondsaid mentioned cover, fuse retaining parts associated with said switchmechanisms respectively, said cover including as another part thereofdoors for giving independent access to the fuse retaining parts of therespective switches, and a second cover spaced beyond the first coverfor providing a compartment between the ,covers within which said switchhandles are contained.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature 1n the presence of twowitnesses.

HUBERT F. KRANTZ. Witnesses J. A. NEWTON, S. L. WHrrLocx.'

